Featured Post from Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Why Nick Cave’s First Public Outdoor Sculpture Found Its Home at Meijer Gardens

Suzanne Ramljak explains the cultural, artistic, and regional significance of a landmark permanent installation

Feb 20, 2026

3 min

Suzanne Ramljak

The permanent installation of Amalgam (Origin), Nick Cave’s first public outdoor sculpture in the world, marks a major moment for contemporary art in the Midwest and a defining milestone for Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. As the curator who guided the project from concept to completion, Suzanne Ramljak offers essential insight into why this work matters now, how it fits within Cave’s evolving career, and what it signals about the growing role of public art in shaping cultural identity.


CaptionResizeWrap TextRemove



The sculpture’s installation in October coincides with a pivotal period in Nick Cave’s career. On Feb. 13, he debuted “Nick Cave: Mammoth,” a monumental new body of work on view at the Smithsonian American Art Museum through Jan. 3, 2027. Not only is it Cave's first solo exhibition in Washington, D.C., but it is the museum’s largest ever single-artist commission. And this spring, the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago opens with a major, immersive installation by Cave, placing his work at the center of a national cultural moment.


Against this timely backdrop, Meijer Gardens’ installation stands as a quiet but powerful first: the artist’s inaugural permanent outdoor public sculpture.


Understanding the Significance of Nick Cave's Work


The sculpture reflects the evolution of Nick Cave’s artistic practice, rooted in his groundbreaking Soundsuits series, a body of work first developed in response in the wake of Rodney King’s 1991 assault by police and designed to challenge viewers’ perceptions of identity, race, and community.


Over decades, Cave’s work has moved from wearable performance art into public sculpture, allowing his socially engaged visual language to occupy shared civic space. The permanent presence of Amalgam (Origin) at Meijer Gardens highlights the institution’s commitment to showcasing art that resonates with broader cultural dialogues about resilience, protection, and collective identity.


“Nick Cave’s art is deeply rooted - in his family, in community, in craft, and in nature. His work is also grounded in concerns of social justice. The power of Amalgam (Origin) stems from this fertile mix; a blend of the personal and communal, exceptional and traditional.” Suzanne Ramljak, Vice President of Collections & Curatorial Affairs, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park


CaptionResizeWrap TextRemove


Suzanne Ramljak is Vice President of Collections & Curatorial Affairs at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park where she oversees the acquisition, siting and curation of engaging sculptural exhibitions.


View her profile




The timing also highlights Cave’s deep Midwest ties. He lives and works in Chicago and earned his master's degree at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The Meijer Gardens installation connects those regional roots to a global artistic trajectory, reinforcing the Midwest’s influence on contemporary art at the highest level.


Media Attention, Coverage and Cultural Momentum


Since the installation was announced and unveiled, the sculpture has drawn significant regional, national and arts-focused media attention, underscoring its cultural weight and public resonance. Coverage has highlighted the work’s monumental scale, its distinction as Nick Cave’s first permanent outdoor public sculpture, and Meijer Gardens’ role as a national destination capable of supporting ambitious and timely contemporary art.






Media narratives consistently framed the installation as both a major moment for Grand Rapids’ cultural landscape and a signal of Meijer Gardens’ growing influence within the national arts conversation.


The range of coverage points to interest from music, arts, lifestyle, and cultural outlets, suggesting the installation’s appeal to a variety of audiences.







That level of attention reflects not only the significance of the work itself, but also the curatorial vision guiding its placement and permanence, a process led by Suzanne Ramljak.


Expert Insight:


As Curator of Collections and Senior Curator of Sculpture, Ramljak brings expert perspective on:


  • Why Meijer Gardens was the right home for Cave’s first outdoor public sculpture
  • How this work fits within Cave’s broader artistic practice, particularly his engagement with performance, movement, and public space
  • What permanence means in contemporary art, especially for works often associated with temporality and performance
  • How landscape, scale, and audience interaction shape the experience of outdoor sculpture


Her expertise situates the installation within both Cave’s career arc and Meijer Gardens’ long-standing commitment to presenting ambitious contemporary sculpture in dialogue with nature.


Connect with:
Suzanne Ramljak

Suzanne Ramljak

Vice President of Collections & Curatorial Affairs

Suzanne Ramljak oversees the acquisition and siting of the permanent collection and curation of engaging exhibitions at Meijer Gardens.

Art CriticismContemporary ArtMuseum Exhibition CurationSculptureCurating
Powered by

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

West Michigan Home to Largest Temporary Butterfly Exhibit featured image

2 min

West Michigan Home to Largest Temporary Butterfly Exhibit

We all look for signs of spring that herald the changing of seasons – buds bursting on trees, plants pushing out of the ground, and migratory birds returning. But there is another sure sign of spring, and it takes place annually at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan – Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming (March 1-April 30). The largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the United States, Butterflies Are Blooming welcomes visitors into the 80-degree, five-story, 15,000-square-foot Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory that is a paradise for thousands of butterflies flying freely all around. More than 7,000 chrysalides representing over 60 species travel to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park throughout the exhibit's duration from tropical countries including Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Kenya, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Steve LaWarre is the Senior Vice President at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, where his visionary leadership and passion for botanical excellence have been instrumental in shaping Meijer Gardens' stunning landscapes and ensuring operational excellence. View his profile “Butterflies at Meijer Gardens is a quintessential springtime tradition for families across West Michigan and beyond, and we look forward to ushering in the start of our fourth decade of offering this magical tradition,” said Steve LaWarre, senior vice president at Meijer Gardens. Click on the link to learn more: 7,000 butterflies from 4 continents will soon fill Frederik Meijer Gardens, MLive, Feb. 17, 2026 The exhibition also offers guests up-close experiences at butterfly feeding stations, where tropical fruit slices and nectar-rich plants attract the butterflies, and at the Observation Station, where 1,200 chrysalides arrive at Meijer Gardens each week and transform into butterflies and moths. Additionally, the exhibition features vibrant floral displays, including arches of foliage and blooms in varied hues; unique nectar plant varieties; and colorful arrangements of air plants, bromeliads, and orchids. Guests also can visit the butterfly release stations to watch newly emerged butterflies make their debut and take their first flight as the stars of the show. “Guests can partake in everything from an immersive visit to the tropical conservatory with thousands of butterflies overhead, to a butterfly-themed program such as our new Bourbon & Butterflies events this year," said LaWarre. If you are looking to cover spring-related garden stories, including about Butterflies are Blooming, connect with Steve below.

Visit the Tropics without a Flight - Largest Temporary Butterfly Exhibit a Sign of Spring featured image

2 min

Visit the Tropics without a Flight - Largest Temporary Butterfly Exhibit a Sign of Spring

We all look for signs of spring that herald the changing of seasons – buds bursting on trees, plants pushing out of the ground, and migratory birds returning. But there is another sure sign of spring, and it takes place annually at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan – Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming (March 1-April 30). The largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the United States, Butterflies Are Blooming welcomes visitors into the 80-degree, five-story, 15,000-square-foot Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory that is a paradise for thousands of butterflies flying freely all around. More than 7,000 chrysalides representing over 60 species travel to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park throughout the exhibit's duration from tropical countries including Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Kenya, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Wendy Overbeck Dunham is Director of Horticulture at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She leads the team that oversees the care and presentation of its living collections - from tropical conservatories and outdoor gardens to seasonal displays - connecting guests to art, design, and the natural environment. View her profile “Stepping into Michigan’s largest glasshouse and being bathed in warmth while thousands of butterflies swirl in vibrant color and motion is a feeling you can’t get anywhere else,” says Wendy Overbeck Dunham, Director of Horticulture. “After months of winter, that first breath of tropical air and the close-up encounters with butterflies are pure joy.” Click on the link below: Thousands of butterflies emerge at Frederik Meijer Gardens, WOOD-TV8 (NBC Grand Rapids) The exhibition also offers guests up-close experiences at butterfly feeding stations, where tropical fruit slices and nectar-rich plants attract the butterflies, and at the Observation Station, where 1,250 chrysalides arrive at Meijer Gardens each week and transform into butterflies and moths. Additionally, the exhibition features vibrant floral displays, including arches of foliage and blooms in varied hues; unique nectar plant varieties; and colorful arrangements of air plants, bromeliads, and orchids. “Most people don’t know that butterflies taste with their tiny feet,” Dunham explains. “Our feeding stations create fantastic photo ops and bring butterflies close enough to admire their intricate wing patterns and how their straw-like proboscis uncoils to feed.” Guests also can visit the butterfly release stations to watch newly emerged butterflies make their debut and take their first flight as the stars of the show. “It’s an immersive experience,” Dunham adds. “The conservatory is full of energy! As you wander, take time to pause and watch the butterflies flit, flutter and feed. Those quiet moments are what make our butterflies unforgettable.” If you are looking to cover spring-related garden stories, including about Butterflies are Blooming, connect with Wendy below.

What the World Needs Now: How Art, Culture, and Nature Can Help Heal Communities in Difficult Times featured image

3 min

What the World Needs Now: How Art, Culture, and Nature Can Help Heal Communities in Difficult Times

In an era marked by political division, cultural fatigue, and rapid technological change, communities are increasingly searching for places that offer connection, restoration, and shared experience. Charles Burke, President & CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, brings a leadership perspective shaped by decades across the arts, civic engagement, and nonprofit strategy — focused on how cultural institutions can serve as stabilizing forces in uncertain times. Through the lens of Meijer Gardens, Burke examines how art, culture, and nature can work together to restore, unite, and inspire communities, offering spaces where people can slow down, reconnect, and engage with one another beyond polarization or distraction. Charles Burke is President & CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Under his direction, the organization has been recognized as Best Sculpture Park in the United States by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and consecutively named one of the Best Places to Work in West Michigan, solidifying its reputation as a cultural landmark of international acclaim. View his profile Why This Matters Now In an era marked by political division, cultural fatigue, and rapid technological change, communities are increasingly searching for places that offer connection, restoration, and shared experience. Charles Burke, President & CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, brings a leadership perspective shaped by decades across the arts, civic engagement, and nonprofit strategy — focused on how cultural institutions can serve as stabilizing forces in uncertain times. Through the lens of Meijer Gardens, Burke examines how art, culture, and nature can work together to restore, unite, and inspire communities, offering spaces where people can slow down, reconnect, and engage with one another beyond polarization or distraction. An Expert Perspective on Healing Through Experience From Burke’s leadership vantage point, institutions like Meijer Gardens demonstrate how intentional design and programming can support community well-being. Examples include: Environments that encourage mental restoration, such as forested landscapes and immersive outdoor spaces Experiences that invite reflection and emotional engagement, rather than passive consumption Programming that brings together diverse audiences around shared encounters with beauty and creativity These experiences do not attempt to solve complex societal challenges directly. Instead, they create conditions for connection, empathy, and resilience, key foundations that healthy communities depend on. Civic Spaces as “Experiential Engines” A central concept in Burke’s work is the idea of cultural institutions as experiential engines — places designed not just to display art or plants, but to generate meaning, joy, and shared memory. When thoughtfully integrated, sculpture, horticulture, architecture, and programming can transform public spaces into environments that foster belonging and inclusion. This approach positions cultural institutions as active participants in civic life, contributing to community health and cohesion rather than operating at the margins of public discourse. Technology, Humanity, and the Future of Cultural Spaces As technology continues to shape how people interact with the world, Burke’s perspective emphasizes balance. Emerging tools — including artificial intelligence — can enhance accessibility, storytelling, and personalization when used intentionally. The challenge, and opportunity, lies in ensuring that technology deepens human connection rather than distracting from it. And while AI is ideal for aggregating information and should be integrated into , it isn't inherently creative. Burke believes that cultural institutions can uniquely unlock the power of human potential in creativity. And cultural institutions that integrate innovation thoughtfully can remain relevant while staying grounded in human experience. Meijer Gardens as a Living Model Over three decades, Meijer Gardens has evolved into a nationally recognized destination where beauty, experience, and mission align. Its integration of art, nature, education, and seasonal programming offers a real-world example of how cultural institutions can grow while remaining inclusive, restorative, and community-centered. Why Journalists and Conference Organizers Should Connect Charles Burke brings informed perspective on: The role of art and nature in public healing and mental wellness Cultural responsibility during periods of division and uncertainty Designing inclusive, joyful, and interactive civic spaces Balancing technology and humanity in cultural institutions How Meijer Gardens functions as a model for innovative integration and creativity Audience fit: museum and cultural leadership forums, civic innovation conferences, mental health and wellness discussions, placemaking initiatives, higher education leadership forums, philanthropic leadership events, sustainability and design summits.

View all posts
Powered by